Machinedrum - Movin' Forward

Machinedrum - Movin' Forward
A year later, the loss of Rashad Harden still feels like it happened yesterday. That probably comes down to how enduring his legacy has been, particularly in the footwork world. But Rashad's impact can't be measured merely by footwork's popularity, as there was a whole world of artists and scenes on which he had an equally profound effect. Travis Stewart, AKA Machinedrum, is chief among those inspired by Harden. With Movin' Forward, which collects unfinished collaborations and new solo tracks and gives all proceeds to Harden's family, he pays tribute to DJ Rashad in a way that feels appropriate: killer tunes.

Stewart's two originals offer a sharper perspective on the floaty footwork he outlined on Room(s) and Vapor City. Whether or not that's Rashad's influence in the rougher vocal chopping on "All I Really Want" is anyone's guess, but the swooning synths are pure Machinedrum, and they sound great. Those dueling forces battle on "The $$$," where gruff rap vocals and lashing basslines careen head-first into Stewart's soft-focus synths to striking effect. On the Rashad and Taso remix of Stewart's "SeeSea," they carefully pound its smooth surface into something that feels equally influenced by trap and jungle.

Then there's the main attraction: two Rashad collaborations that Stewart recently put the finishing touches on. The first, "Understand," has the duo joined by Nick Hook, reimagining the lavish soul of Double Cup in Stewart's Vapor City dreamworld. Spinn appears on "Tha Flow," where Stewart adds some typically buttery chords to soften the impact of Rashad's frantic vocal samples and coiled drum patterns. The tracks are just as good as you'd expect from a collaboration like this, even if nothing here sheds new light on Harden's particular talent. If there's a message to Movin' Forward, it's that the best way to honor someone's legacy is to keep making the best art you can.